Thanks to all who attended the Haines Winter Olympic Games on Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds. Organizers might have wished for more wintery conditions, but could not have wished for more enthusiastic participants! Thanks to Tomi Scovill and The Parts Place for bringing Golf Olympics, and to all the volunteers who set up and ran the games. Thanks to Haines Animal Rescue Kennel staffers Steve Vick and Tracy Mikowski for help with sled dog races. Thanks to Brad Ryan and Meredith Pochardt of Takshanuk Watershed Council for help with the biathlon, children’s activities, and potluck dishes. Thanks to Michael Wald for organizing the tea-making contest – a new Winter Olympics classic. Thanks Haines Hockey for preparing the ice until weather interfered. Thanks to KHNS and Margaret Friedenauer for help with promotion and chili-judging services. Thanks to Southeast Alaska State Fair board members and family for setting up and cleaning up, running events, lighting fires, and throwing frying pans. Thanks to Tom Morphet of the Chilkat Valley News for excellent pageantry, trumpet music, sportsmanship, and chili. We hereby proclaim Tom Morphet winner of the 2013 Haines Winter Olympics Spirit Award.
There’s more fun coming up in March at the fairgrounds! Join us for dinner and movies Friday, March 1, at the Mountain Film Festival.
Ross Silkman, Executive Director
Southeast Alaska State Fair